Possum

Well, the plan was to get up early Sunday and head out towards the Fairway Buoy SE of Block Island. Didn't quite work out as planned, but I finally got everyone together (wife, my 2 kids, plus an extra child), and figured, what the hell, we'll get out for the brunch SBFT bite.

Loaded up the boat, and off we went. Hit the SW corner of BI around 10:15 AM, on nearly a FAC day:

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Proceeded SE as we rounded the corner, noticing an absolute armada on SW Ledge, and a big bunch of boats SW of BI (which, if I had had more attention, might have yielded something). Anyhow, on to the FB we headed. Sure enough, as soon as I stop the boat to rig up a couple of spreader bars and a bird, the Finback whales show up, a few of them no less (I missed the first one that was no more than 40' off my stern).

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Not too much going on out there, but there were a few birds working here and there, but nothing ever really manifested. Saw a pod of Pilot Whales too, but like the Finbacks, they were just cruising, not feeding.

Pulled my gear around for a couple of hours, partially trying and partially figuring it all out (as this was the first time I ever trolled for tuna on my boat, not to mention with only me to set rigs). Cruised around looking for life, draggin' for footballs at around 7-8 kts. Had a Reel Draggin' bird bar, regular bar, and a bird with a single rig out (the stuff runs very nicely, considering I currently have no outriggers). In the end, no love from charlie, but it was awesome to be out there.

In the process I ran by a sunning Mako around 6-6.5' based on the distance between the dorsal and tail. GRRRRR. No meat on board to toss at him, it figures. LOL.

I ran everywhere from about 500 yds south of the buoy all around down to about 5 miles south. There were more boats about another 5-7 miles south working (about 5-6 of them).

Who knows, maybe I should've hunted some more, and will next time, but it gained me a little experience in draggin' tuna gear around, and each trip will put more time under the ol' belt, which will eventually result in a fish for the deck.

Anyhow, had a time table to stick by this day, and screwed off the area at 1:00 PM for the cruise back in. Damn beautiful day on the water, even without any bites.

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There's always next time....

Hey Ken (Reel Draggin' Tackle), your gear runs very well. Good stuff!

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AlloyToy

It's gonna happen big time there Possum. My log shows that last Labor Day weekend was awesome FYI!!

Keep up the persistance and it will pay-off, besides can't beat a family day like that!!

The RDT bars worked real well last year, as did the wood in the prop wash

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"First The Bite Then The Fight"

Possum

I'll make another 2 or so trips this year out there, so we'll see. The next ones will be EARLY, and I'll be bringing some "meat" along for any finning Makos...

I know if I put in some time, it'll pay off for me. Even if just to land my first SBFT on my boat, that would rock.

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